Negative Life Events and Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana is the dried and shredded flowers, seeds, leaves and stems of the hemp plant, which can be smoked in cigarettes or pipes and baked into foods. Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that works to slow the central nervous system causing sedation and hallucinations. The long-term use of marijuana can lead to addiction, as those who abuse the drug can have difficulty stopping even though it can lead to negative life events. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become dependent on the drug.

Marijuana and Daily Life

Marijuana addiction can impact every aspect of daily life. Work, school and social life all suffer from continued use of the drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana’s negative effects on memory, learning and attention can last for weeks after the last use of the drug. Even though the person abusing marijuana may no longer feel the side effects of the drug, he or she may be functioning at reduced levels for weeks after the last use. A person who smokes marijuana on a daily basis may be living under the influence of the drug most of the time. Studies show that students who smoke marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported a variety of other negative effects from regular marijuana use, including the following:

Heavy cannabis users reported that marijuana had a negative impact on their cognitive abilities, career achievements, social lives, and physical and mental health

A study done with postal workers in particular found marijuana users had 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries, and a 75 percent increase in absenteeism compared with non-marijuana users

While marijuana may seem like a safe recreational drug, it can damage users’ lives, health and careers.

Marijuana and Mental Illness

The National Institute on Drug Abuse also reported on studies indicating a link between marijuana use and increased risk of psychosis. According to the report, marijuana also increases symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Increased symptoms were directly related to the amount of the drug used, the age at first use, the genetic vulnerability of the user, as well as length of drug use. People who use marijuana on a regular basis and who have undiagnosed or untreated mental illness increase their risk of addiction to the drug.

Finding Help for Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana use has been linked to increased symptoms of schizophrenia and other forms of mental illness. It has also been shown to negatively impact almost every area of life. If your or a loved one struggles with marijuana addiction, we are here to help you. Call our toll-free number, 24 hours a day to speak to an admissions counselor. We are ready to answer your questions about marijuana addiction and help you find a treatment program.

Live Chat

Chat now with an admissions coordinator for a confidential assessment.

Let Us Verify Your Benefits

Interventions

It's more than just a meeting.

An intervention is the first step toward the long-term goal of keeping someone accountable, supported and motivated in the process of recovery.